Has anyone holidayed on both formal & casual cruises & which did you prefer?

Question

Has anyone holidayed on both formal & casual cruises & which did you prefer?

Answer 1

Almost all cruises are casual.  Most also have one or two nights when the dress code in the dining room is "formal", which doesn't mean everyone follows the code or that the cruise line enforces it.

Answer 2

My preference is being casual, although my husband likes formal nights.  For me it mainly depends on my cabin.  If I have a big balcony, then I'd rather eat there in shorts or a swimsuit.  If we have a standard balcony or lower category, I'm dressing nice and heading to the dining room.

Even on formal nights you have the option of dressing casually and eating at other venues like the buffet or room service.  It's a matter of what you prefer.  Does the idea of dressing up and having a bit better menu those nights appeal to you?  Can you afford Crystal, Cunard, Seabourn, Silversea?  If so, then these luxury lines may be more to your taste.  If not, then you can still make the choice to have a formal or casual experience.  The dining rooms and menus on the ships are generally nice enough that if you wanted to dress up every night, you'd be comfortable.  Good luck deciding what you'd like.    

Answer 3

definitely casual!

shirt and trousers are a lot less bulky in a suitcase than a few thick dresses!

I would pick a casual cruise with formal nights included like Disney or Princess to see which you prefer!

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

You have many choices when cruising. You can be casual all the time or dress up. You see, if you choose to eat in the dinning room, they have a dress code which requires slacks and a shirt with a collar on it, No shorts are allowed. But if you want to wear shorts for your whole cruise, go ahead. You just eat at the buffet or other casual places. Only the top of the line cruise ships such as cunard and crystal would be mostly dressy and formal.

Answer 5

the other person who answered is correct. You can spend most time dressing casually.  The exceptions are one or two nights that is considered "formal" .  cocktail dresses and suits and ties are required then.

i like casual myself

Answer 6

Most cruises have both formal and informal elements.  However, a few are generally known for their informality (Carnival), and others for their formality (QE2).  I have been on the entire range, and my preference is for the formal.